Metallic Memoriam

Chapter 9: Soft Serve Baby

Seven Months Later...

Devin's P.O.V.

I clear my throat and help Ricky hang up a 'Happy Birthday' banner. It's hard to believe so many things looking around at the decorations Chris and Blythe splurged on. First, that Cadence is a year old. Second, Lillith isn't here to see this. Third, I still can't stop thinking about her. "Devin, honey, you alright?" Blythe asks me, helping Cadence walk across the floor. We often joke with Blythe on how Cadence is going to be a runt like her. She's so tiny and so smart.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I answer her smiling. Blythe's become so much stronger since Lillith's death it's remarkable. I step down off of the chair and walk over to the girls. Cadence reaches for me and I scoop her up. She giggles and pulls my hair, "Ow! Blythe, help!" She helps me pry Cadence's little fingers from my hair and takes her from me. I frown at her, "I could have still held her, Blythe."

"I know, sweetie." Blythe grabs her purse and diaper bag, "I need to take her to Hazel and Braxton's. They're going to watch her while I start cooking." Cadence fusses, looking and reaching for me.

"I could watch her, Blythe. I can take her to the park." I begin to offer, "That way Hazel and Braxton can come and help then you have two more people. Well, one to replace me and one new addition. I've helped Chris take care of her and I've learned a thing or two. I can handle her for an hour or so, Blythe." Cadence cries, reaching for me.

Blythe hands her to me, along with her keys, "Alright, it'll take a couple hours to get everything ready. She seems to want you so I have no problems with it. What do you think Chris?" I take the diaper bag from her.

Chris, Vinny and Balz are in charge of balloons and I'm sure that Blythe is rapidly regretting that decision, "I trust him, Baby." Chris says in a helium infused squeak. "However, anything happened to my daughter, Devin, and you really will be a Ghost."

"Hear you loud and clear, Captain. We'll be back Blythe." I nod towards the hard rock version of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Blythe kisses Cadence on her cheek and we walk out the door. We literally almost run into Angelo, who for some reason is in a hurry for the apartment, "Woah, Ange, where's the fire?"

"Sorry, man. Is Blythe in there?" He asks, catching his breath. Cadence lays her head on my shoulder. "Why do you have the baby? Is everything alright?" Does no one think I can take care of a child? Seriously, people.

"I'm taking her out for a few hours while Blythe finishes the food and stuff for her party. What's going on Angelo?" I explain and ask. Angelo just speeds past me and into the apartment. I roll my eyes and take the elevator down to the main entrance, running into Blythe's grandmother and cousin. "Hey, Cady, Nix, I'm taking Cadence out while Blythe finishes up."

"Great, Devin!" Cady smiles at me. Her arms are filled with groceries. Nix is carrying gift bags. "Nix, honey since your mother and Melody are on there way to help, why don't you go with Devin and the baby, it would be good for you to get out for a while. Devin, do you think you could wait until Nix carries those bags upstairs for me before you leave?" Before I can say anything Nix and Cady disappear into the elevator. I walk out to my car and set the diaper bag on the seat.

By the time I got Cadence strapped into her spare seat, Nix was already walking out of the building. We get into the car and I decide to treat Cadence early so I pull into Dairy Queen. "Are you trying to give her a sugar buzz?" Nix laughs. I get Cadence out of the car and the three of us walk inside. Once we all have our ice cream we go to sit in the glass part. I start feeding Cadence and she can't stop smiling. "You're really good with her, Devin. She adores you."

"Yeah she's a blast for only being a year old." I smile and look at Nix and for the first time since Lillith died, I feel at peace. Like, Lillith herself organized Nix to come here. Nix takes over feeding Cadence and I can see that it is Lillith up there. I can move on...for Lillith.